Method of classifying irregularly-shared material employed in the making of buttons or blanks for disks or the like



Feb. 21, 1928.

R. STANFORTH METHOD OF CLASSIFYING IRREGULARLY SHAPED MATERIAL EMPLOYED IN THE MAKING OF BUTTONS 0R BLANKs FOR DISKS ORTHE LIKE Filed April 9. 2

INVENTOR. fizirfiarcifiiaafizifi BY 0 4 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 21, 1928;

Elm-TED srerss PATEN ounce.

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METHOD or oLA-ssrrYnm Lmm ULAR-LYI-SH-ABED MATERIAL- mnLoxnn IN MAKINaorB-nm'roNs-oa nnzmxsma: nrsxszcn Tam LIKE.-

Application fi ea m gma. Serial no, 631,044.

determine the maximum desirable possibilir I tiesin buttons, or other articles contained in the material. Another object. ot'the. inven-; tion is to establish a plurality of groups. of classes of articles of. different sizes on shapes to be producedfrOm the material, theclasses ofeach. group: being. graduated in diame tor and diii'ering from the classes of other groups in relative. thiclmess or shape, to select the group of classes best suited: to

meet trade or manufacturing conditions, and,

to. test each piece of material for diameter and thickness to determine the largest size of article obtainable. therefrom: correspond} ing to one of the classes oi the selected group. Still another object of the invention is to provide a method in whichthe material: is subjected to circumferential tests about the same axis, in. planes predetermined.with reference to a selectedside of the material, for the maximum desirable size of articles obtaiuable therefrom. A: further object of the invention is to classify material icy-sub.- jecting each piece to two: co-related. simultaneous tests fordiameter and thickness in.

predetermined planes preferably with reference to a selected side of the material. A. further object of the invention is to classify material by subjecting. each piece to two in; dependently acting but co-relatedltests about. a common axis. Another and further ob ject of the invention is to classify material by; means of a circumferentialtest, about a suitable axis of the piece in a direction at an angle other than aright angle to such. axis,v sothat through one test. may be d efined the desirable maximum diameterand described endthc novel: features. pointed out. Y I U class group illustrated; in Fig. 11; and

in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figs-1', 2" and. 3 are side views of" typical irregularly shaped nut pieces;

Fig, 4% is a side view of an irregularly shaped nut piecev and shows, within the dotted lines, the material, which according,"

to a known or common'method. is utilized for producing buttons or blanks.

Figs; 5, 6, 7 and 8 are side views of'tou'u' converted pieces from which buttons,,-or

other articles, are formed;', 7

Fig. 9/ illustrates an irregularly shaped; piece ofmaterial, and'shows in dotted lines the manner in which thesame may be utilized for obtaining a blank oit'he maximum diameter, or a blank of the maximum thickness jp i V Figs. 10, 1'1. and 1 2 illustrate diagram" matically three different groups 0h classifications which may be followed inv classifying blanks according tothis invention, the. outside geometrical figure of each of such figs ures or the drawings, representing. the blanlc which is cut from the largest class in'the group and the geometrical figures. within representing other blanks of smaller sizesv cut from other classes in the" group, the blanks being cut with reference to a selected face of the material. which is the line c'ommon to one side of all the geometricalfigures;

Figs. 1'3 and' 14" show the manner in which irregularly shaped material is tested to de. fine the desirable maximum size; of the anticles contained therein, in" accordance with the graduated" classv group illustrated in Fig. 10-; v

Fig, illustrates the application of? this same class group and method of testing to one. portion. of a converted plural-article piece, such as illustrated'in Fig. 6; v r Y Fig.v I6 illustrates a methodof testing. another portion of theconverted plural-article piece, illustrated in Fig. 6'; I

F'gz. 1'71" illustrates the manner in which the desirable maximum size of an. article contained in anrirregularly shaped piece may bedefined'through a single. angular test Figr18" illustrates the manner in which. an. irregularly 'shapedLp-iece. of. material is tested to determine the maximum. diameter of an article contained? therein at. a predetermined? thickness inaccordance with the. graduated Figm 19 illustrates the manner in. which. an I irregularly shapedpiece of material is tested to determine the maximum diameter and the maximum thickness of an article contained therein in accordance with the graduated class group illustrated in Fig. 12.

Buttons, or blanks for disks, buttons, or the like, are usuallyproduced' from irregularly shaped material, such as bone, shell, or the so-called ivory nut pieces, typical shapes of which are illustrated in Figs. '1'

to 3 of the drawings. In some cases the buttons, or other articles, are formed directly fromthe irregularly shaped material, as illustrated in Fig. a, while in other cases the practice is followed'of first converting the material into circular disks, or blanks, such as illustrated in'Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, and then forming the buttons or other articles from these convertedpieces, A. problem in either case, due to the variation in shape of the material and the inaccuracy of the classifying means heretofore available, has

been to secure from the material, irrespective of its shape, the desirable maximum yield in buttons, or blanks for disks, buttons, or the like. This desirable maximum yield is not necessarily the button or other article of the greatest diameter obtainable from the material, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 9

at a, nor is it necessarily the greatest num ,ber of articles, or an article of the greatest thickness, as illustrated in dotted lines in the same figure at b, but consists in the largest size, or number of artlcles which will meet Varying trade or market requirements" and may at different times be either of the extremes mentioned, or any demand in between these extremes.

According to this invention, there is preferably established one or more groups of classes of articles of different sizes or shapes to be produced from the materialgto meet trade or market requirements, and each piece of irregularly shaped material, whether nut Someof the types of graduated article class groups which may be employed in this method are illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 10 to 12, inclusive, the type of group selected in any given case depending upon the result it is desired to obtain. In each of these Figs. 10 to 12, inclusive, the outer geometrical figure represents a blank obtainable from the class of largest-pieces the group, while the geometrical figures w thin this outer or largest 'eometrical figure represent blanks obtaina 1e from small classes in the group. It will be noted that each of these geometrical figures, in this instance, has a common side which represents :the

plane of the selective face of the material and from which the blanks are formed and from which also the pieces are tested. The type of group illustrated inFig. 10, for example, is followed when it is desired to have a number of classes which are graduated in both thickness and diameter with reference to a selected side of the material. The type of group illustrated in Fig. 11 has its classes graduated only in diameter and is followed when it is desired to define in the material artlcles of the maximum diameter at a pre-' In Fig. 12 is shown determined thickness. 7 a group which may be followed when it'is desired to define in the material articles of the maximum diameter and the maximuml thickness for such maximum diameter. Any number of similar groups of classes may be made with reference to the relative diameter or thickness or shape of the articles to be produced,

In all 'of the testing operations, each piece of material is tested for one or more dimensions, as, for instance, diameter, or thickness,

or both, about its entirecircumference preferably 1n predetermined planes which are fixed with reference to aselectedside of the material and are held constant for each of the graduated article class groups. For example, in Fig. 13 is illustrated a method of testing employedv when using the type of class group shown in Fig. 10. In this case, the piece of material is subjected to two conjoint circumferential tests indicated at m and m about the same axis ai, the test at m being made in the plane at a fixed distance from a selected side of the material, in this instance 8 while the test indicated at m is made on a line which is at an angle other than a right angle to the axis 00. One of these twotests, m in the case illustrated, defines in each piece of material the maxr' mum diameter of a button or other article obtainable therefrom which has a thickness equal to the distance If between the two tests. The diameter class of'the material for a given class group is not, however, always defined by the same test for, while, in Fig. 13, the diameter is defined by the test indicated at m, the diameter of another piece of material, owing to its shape, may be defined by the test indicated at m as illustrated in Fig. 14'. v

While the method of testing just described is illustrated in connection with irregularly shaped nut pieces, it is equally applicable to irregularly shaped material of other forms,

such, for example, as the converted plural article pieces shownin Figs; 5- to 8,.v inclur sive: As aniillustration' of the application.

of the. described methodttoone' of these con:- verted pieces, reference maybehad to Fi 15. In this illustrated application, two c0njoint. circumferential tests are; first made for the button or other article adjacent one be defined. by makingone. test. only for each article, asillustratedin. Fig. 16;. Inthis instance, the relative position oftheconverted piece is reversed and subjected: to a test indicated at m and made on a line which is. at an angle other than a right angle to the axis m. This test m, being made in a fixed relation to the plane 7), in which. the test m was. made in the first instance, defines both diameter and. thickness in. one operation. Should theconverted piece have a thickness sullicient to yield more than twoibuttons 01' similararticles, the single angulartest just described ma be repeated" in different planes for each of pie articles-contained,

This single measurement may also-beused in connection with other forms; of irregularly shaped pieces as, for instance, the nut piece illustrated in Fig. 17.,by causing the test indicated at m to be made on. the. skin or curved side of the irregularly shaped piece,so that there is defined simultaneously a diameter (Z and a thickness t for such. diameter, both being determined: withv refer.- ence to the selected side 3 of the material which. is, in this case flat. It: is apparent that the relation between the diameter and.

thickness. of the article definedebythis test ing operation varies with the angle: of action. of the test m. v

In some'i'nstances, it is desirable to define, in a predetermined plane of the materiahan.

article'having the maximum diameter for a predeterm ned thickness. This. result may be obtained by following the class group illustrated in Fig. 11. and subjecting the material to two conjoint circumferential tests,

indicated at m and m in Fig. 18, about a common axis'ai, and at a fixed'distancefrom each other, both tests actingat. rig-ht anglestothe same axis as. V

In other instances, it is Cl6Sl11bl6,tO define in the material the maximum diameter of an article obtained therefrom in a predeter= In this case,

of. the material and testing forthe-manimum diameter. of. an article.- obtainable therefrom,

Whilethe. test m actingon the perimeterv of such diameter, defines: the maximum; thick.

ness. for such: diameter.

The inventionis not limit-edito the specific tests herein described for, ashas been point-- ed: out and illustrated, the tests vary with the different class groups which,being designed. to meet varying trade or market conditions, are not limited: in number All.

of. the tests, however, are alike. inroneon both of two characteristics, i. e'.. they may be made in planes which are predetermined and fixedwit-hrespect-tea selected sideof the: material. for each. group, onthey-may be 7 made on lines which are at. anglesrother. than right angles; to a suitable axis of the material about which thetests are made.-

The means or mechanism employed. for

test may be found.

A. further. desirable provision of thetest-' ing operation is that it shall. be made along;

.a. linewhich shall bear a certain. relationtoa, selected class group,,the arrows in the, draw-1110' lndicat-lng certaln deslrable lines on which ietests can be made. When a. class group is used which has a number of classes decreasing, relatively bothin thickness and diameter, a desirable? line of tests will lie at an angle other. than; a right angle to the axis about which they test is made. Whereas, when a class group is selected in which the classes decrease in diameter only, theline or lines of test arepreterably made at right angles to such axis. In somescases, as for instance, when: it is desired. to define in the material the maXimumdiameter-and the maximum thickness for such maximum diameter,- one of the desirable lines of. test is parallel with the'axis of the. diameter test, the position: of such line of tests being movable: toward. and from said axis.

The classifying tests may be made in onev operation, as when either. the: material or the testing device is turned, so that the circumference of. the material is testedat all points, the testing deviceorthematerial, at the same time, moving transversely of the axis of rotation; or the: tests may beby a succession of operations, as when; the matecarrying out this method should effect a-rorial is. free to be turned: and, at the same time, to. move transversely: of. its-axis. so as topresent. all portions of. its periphery to-av number of rigid; testing devices.

7 of its shape.

When movable testing devices are employed, they should move back and forth on the lines in which the tests are made, such, for instance, as indicated. by the arrows in Figs. 13 to 19, whereas when rigid testing devices are employed, they should be positio'nedprogressively along such lines to corthickness is made toward or in proximity to the edge of the proposed button or blank and therefore the measurement for thickness is in eifecta measurement to provide for proper or requisite edge thickness in the proposed blank or button.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there has been provided a method which has a number of advantages, F rst, it'is possible to accurately classify material irrespective Second, there is provided a flexible method through which any suitable material may be classified accordingto the maximum desirable yield in buttons, or other articles obtainable therefroimtomeet any trade or manufacturing conditions. Third, the classification of the material may take place with respect to a selectedside thereof, so that the article to be produced may be obtained from the most desirable portion of the material. Fourth, the classification with respect to one sideof the material permits the use of this side later as a guide for locating the defined ordetermined object for the cutting operation. Fifth, in some shapes of material, it is possible through a single measurement at right angles tofthe axis aboutwhich a test is made to define or determine both the thickness and diameter of the material.

IVhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A method of classifying irregularly shaped material employed in the making of buttons, or blanks for disks, buttons, or the like, which consists in establishing a plurality of classes of articles of different sizes or shapes to be produced from the material, each class having a decrease inthickness with a decrease in diameter, making two corelated tests of the material about a common' axis for diameter' and thickness to determine the'largest size of article obtainable from the material corresponding to one of the established classes, and placing the material in the class determined by the two corelated tests.

2. In a method of classifying irregularly shaped material employed in the making of buttons, or blanks for disks, buttons, or the like, the step which consists in subjecting the the like, the step which consists in subject ing the material to two independently acting but co-related dimension tests about a common' axis.

4:. In a method of classifying irregularly shaped material employed in the .making of buttons, or blanks for disks, buttons, or.

the like,:the step which consists in testing the material circumferentially about a sultable. axis and on a llne other than a right angle to said axis for one dimension of the material.

5. In a method of classifying irregularly shaped material employed in themaking of buttons,,or blanks for disks, buttons, or the li :e, the step which consists in testing the material circumferentially about a suitable axis and on a line other than a. right angle to said axis for another'dimension of the material, .and, at the same time, subjecting the material to a co-related circumferential test about the same axis and oil a line at rightangles to such axis.

6. In a method of classifying irregularly shaped material employed in the making of buttons, or blanks for disks, buttons, or' the like, the step which consists in subjecting each piece of material to two independently acting but co-related dimension tests about 7 a common axis in a predetermined plane with respect to a selected side of the material. v

7 In a method of classifying irregularly shaped material employed in the making of buttons, or blanks for disks, buttons, orthe like, the step which consists in subjecting each piece of material to tWo independently acting but co-relateddimension tests about a common axis in predetermined planes with respect to a selected'side of the material, one of said tests being on a line at an angle other than a right angle to said axis and the other of said tests being on a line at right angles to said axis. 7

8. In a method of classifying irregularly shaped material employed in the making of buttons, or blanks for disks, buttons, or the like, the step which consists in subjecting the material toa point test for diameter by engaging the material at successive points completely about the material in a selected pre: determined plane at right angles to'a suitable axis. T q a 9. In a method of classifying irregularly shaped material employed in the making of buttons, or blanks for disks, buttons, or the like, the step which consists in subjecting the material to a point test for diameter by engaging the material at successive points completely about the material in a selected pre-deterniined plane at right angles to a suitable axis and simultaneously making another point test about the same axis as to thickness. I

10. A method of classifying irregularly shaped material employed in the making of buttons, blanks, or disks for buttons, or the like, which consists in establishing' a plurality of classes of articles of different thickness With a decrease in diameter, making two co-related tests of each piece of material for diameter and edge thickness of a proposed blank or button t0 determine the largest size obtainable from the material, correspond-mg to one of the established classes,-

and placing the material in the 'class deter- 20 mined by the two tests.

' RICHARD STANFORTH. 

